VERSATILITY was a hallmark of the Hawthorn side in 2013 and the returning Ryan Schoenmakers shapes as another player who’ll provide Alastair Clarkson with flexibility in 2014.

Schoenmakers played only four games last season before rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament against Fremantle in April. After an 11-month layoff, he looks set to make his return early this season.

With Schoenmakers' return on the cards, the Hawks may face a tough time squeezing in him alongside high-calibre defenders in Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake, best and fairest winner Josh Gibson and Stratton.

As in previous seasons, Schoenmakers has mixed up training up front and down back, giving him the flexibility to play at either end of the ground in 2014.

Stratton, who injured the lateral, medial and posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee in 2011, has only admiration for the way Schoenmakers has attacked his rehab.

He has been equally impressed with the progress of Matthew Suckling.

Suckling, who ruptured his ACL in last year's pre-season, appears a certainty to fill the void left by retired premiership backman Brent Guerra this year.

Suckling is the man most likely to provide the Hawks with their feted rebound from defence, but Stratton also nominated Taylor Duryea as another option.

"Hopefully they both play. Taylor was very unlucky to miss out on the Grand Final last year," Stratton said.  

Stratton has kept a close eye on Schoenmakers' and Suckling's progress from their respective knee injuries.

And, although the injury Stratton suffered was different, he has felt a responsibility to provide his teammates with the necessary advice as they gear up for the final – and most important – stage of their rehab.

"You're fit, you can run for days, but it's the match play fitness that's a little bit different," Stratton said.

"I felt fit as running around the oval, but when it came to short sharp bursts in close, that was the hardest thing."

With Ben Guthrie